American Association of Advertising Agencies Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE 4AS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1917 TO PROMOTE, ADVANCE, AND DEFEND THE INTERESTS OF OUR MEMBER AGENCIES, EMPLOYEES AND THE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING INDUSTRIES OVERALL. TODAY THE ORGANIZATION SERVES MORE THAN 600 MEMBER AGENCIES ACROSS 1,200 OFFICES (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O).
- Income
- $19.6 million
- Spending
- $19.9 million
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $1.0 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- WITH PARTICIPATING 4AS MEMBERS, 4AS OPERATES VARIOUS COUNCILS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVES THAT FOSTER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MEMBERS AND THE OVERALL ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS NATIONALLY. THESE OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE PROVISION OF PROGRAMS IN: MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ENRICHMENT, CREATIVE THOUGHT-LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE COUNCILS FACILITATE MAINTAINING A STRONG, VIBRANT AND DIVERSE ADVERTISING COMMUNITY ATTRACTIVE FOR ADVERTISERS, ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND YOUNG ADVERTISING PROFESSIONALS. SINCE THE COUNCILS ARE NOT SEPARATELY INCORPORATED AND OPERATE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AAAA, THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, HOWEVER, THEIR REVENUES AND EXPENSES ARE DISCRETELY PRESENTED ON THE ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES TO FACILITATE STEWARDSHIP.
- EDUCATION: 4AS PROVIDES A LIBRARY WITH UNLIMITED INFORMATION PERTAINING TO PRODUCTS AND COMPANIES; AIDS IN SETTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS; PUTS OUT MANY EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS; AND CONDUCTS TRAINING, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS. ACCESS CONSUMER INSIGHTS AND MEDIA HABITS, TRENDS IN MEDIA, INTERNATIONAL CONTENT, 10 INDUSTRY VERTICALS, AND MULTIPLE RESEARCH DATABASES.
- THE 4AS WASHINGTON, D.C. LOCATION ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF THE ADVERTISING AGENCY COMMUNITY ON ALL ISSUES THAT COULD AFFECT AGENCIES, FROM NEW TAXES ON DIGITAL ADVERTISING TO PRIVACY LAW CHANGES THAT COULD HINDER AGENCIES' ABILITY TO FIND THE BEST AUDIENCES FOR THEIR CLIENTS.
- THE 4AS PROVIDES COUNTLESS OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT STUDIES, TO APPROXIMATELY 600 MEMBER COMPANIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.